Odessa Fire Rescue (OFR) is inviting elementary school students in the Ector County Independent School District (ECISD) to participate in a Fire Prevention Week poster contest. The contest, which aligns with Fire Prevention Week from October 8th to October 14th, aims to raise awareness about fire safety among young students.
The theme for this year's contest is "Cooking safety starts with you. Pay attention to fire prevention." According to a Facebook post by the city of Odessa, all ECISD elementary students are eligible to enter the contest.
The contest guidelines state that students in kindergarten, first, and second grades will be given a coloring sheet to work on, while students in the third, fourth, and fifth grades will be asked to create posters. The posters should not exceed the size of 22 inches by 28 inches.
To participate, students must submit their entries at the Fire Marshal's Office located at 307 N. Lee Ave. The deadline for submissions is October 13th at 5 p.m. Each entry should include the student's name, grade, age, and the name of the school they attend.
Fire Prevention Week has been observed for over a century since 1922, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge declared it a national observance, making it the longest-running public health observance in the United States. The week is commemorated annually in remembrance of the Great Chicago Fire, which occurred on October 8, 1871.
In regards to the poster contest, the city of Odessa announced that a first-place trophy will be awarded to one student in each grade level. The winners will be announced the week after Fire Prevention Week.
This contest provides an opportunity for ECISD elementary students to showcase their creativity and promote fire safety awareness. By engaging young students in activities like this, Odessa Fire Rescue hopes to instill important fire prevention habits early on.